ERIC Number: EJ1418638
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1389-224X
EISSN: EISSN-1750-8622
Preparing Agricultural Leaders: An Assessment of Agricultural Students' Perceived Importance and Development of Employability Skills
Jean A. Parrella; Christina Esquivel; Holli R. Leggette; Theresa Pesl Murphrey
Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, v30 n2 p233-255 2024
Purpose: We sought to determine the perceived importance and development of agricultural students' employability skills, and the factors and experiences that influence their development. Design/Methodology/Approach: We used a cross-sectional survey research design and conducted a census of Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students by distributing a researcher-developed instrument to all students following the tailored design method. We collected 991 usable responses. Findings: Students believed communication and decision-making skills were most important, but their teamwork skills and self-management skills were most developed. Seven types of professional experiences significantly and positively influenced students' perceived development of employability skills. Students who knew the type of career they wanted to pursue believed their employability skills were statistically significantly better developed than students who did not. Practical implications: Agricultural educators should help students identify career interests early in their academic pursuit and encourage their participation in professional experiences to improve their perceived employability skills development. Theoretical implications: Increased frequency of participating in teamwork, leadership, project management, community engagement, cross-disciplinary, international, and internship experiences can increase agricultural students' perceived general human capital. Knowledge regarding the type of career they want to pursue can also increase perceived human capital. Originality/Value: We identified novel characteristics of agricultural students across academic departments and at varying levels of their degree program.
Descriptors: Agricultural Education, Agricultural Occupations, Career Readiness, Human Capital, Skill Development, Employment Potential, Job Skills, Agricultural Skills, Communication Skills, Decision Making Skills, Vocational Interests
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) (USDA)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 20193841430265